This book describes challenges in the policy and practices of the various water sectors in the Philippines that have led to water conflicts. Such conflicts arise in the nature of rural-urban competition, trans-administrative boundary issues, and inconsistencies between customary and state rules, and even within state rules. Using inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary approaches, and analysing from various scales - community, local and national governments - the book discusses policies and strategies needed towards achieving water security especially for the poor. Reflective of the complex and urgent water policy and governance issues in many developing countries, the book offers valuable lessons and insights to policy makers, water sector managers, planners and regulators as well as to academics, researchers and students.

This book presents a number of modeling studies of various water resources systems in the humid tropics and the typical short, steep mountain-to-coast systems in the archipelagic setting of the Philippines. Covering natural and rural systems, urban watersheds and built systems, such as reservoirs and flood control systems, it discusses modeling studies based on pure simulation and combined optimization-simulation. The book offers insights into real-world water resources modeling, and as such is a valuable resource for academics and practitioners in the Philippines, as well as those in other Asian regions with similar water resources systems, and similar issues, problems and concerns.

This book examines some of the successes and failures of actual implementation of modern water policy options in the light of the principles and concepts which have emerged from the Rio Earth Summit, the Dublin Statement and other international consensus. The book attempts to share real practical experience at all levels: local, regional, national and international, emphasising the co-operation between different professions and sectors that must take place to ensure adequate supplies of fresh water in future.

This book offers a detailed examination of the main sources of Chile’s water, its principle consumers, the gap between supply and demand, hydrological droughts, and future projected impacts of climate change. It describes, analyzes and evaluates the performance of water policies, laws and institutions, identifies the main challenges that Chile needs to face and derives lessons learnt from Chile’s reform experience. Expert contributors discuss such topics as Chile’s water policy, and the reasoning which explains its policy reform. The book presents and evaluates the performance of the legal and institutional framework of water resources. It also describes efforts to meet actual demands for water by augmenting supplies with groundwater management, waste water re-use and desalination and improve the state of water ecosystems. The last chapter presents the editor’s assessment and conclusions. The case of Chile is illustrative of a transition from command and control to market based management policies, where economic incentives play a significant role in water management.

In January 1997 the Government of the Philippines awarded two long-term concession contracts to private consortia, to operate the water and wastewater services in Greater Manila, an area with a population of 11 million. The winning bidders accepted contractual obligations to expand services faster than in the past, and offered rebates on the tariffs of the incumbent public utility. This diary of a key player in the government team that steered the Manila transaction, demonstrates principles that will be valid wherever such privatisations might occur: "the importance of sustained high-level political commitment; the need for a strong and dedicated government team, supported by experienced advisors; the value of a transparent bidding process; and the need to communicate and consult broadly" (from foreword)